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Bill > SB164

KY SB164

AN ACT relating to government personnel policies and declaring an emergency.

summary

Introduced
02/13/2025
In Committee
02/18/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/28/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 61 to prohibit a state or local government or public agency from providing preferential treatment to individuals or entities on the basis of religion, race, sex, color, or national origin when they contract or seek employment with the state or local government; define terms; prohibit a state or local government from requiring or incentivizing a person to attend a diversity, equity, and inclusion training or provide any differential treatment or benefits to an individual based on the individual's participation in diversity, equity, and inclusion training; prohibit a public agency from providing resources or funds to establish or maintain diversity, equity, and inclusion offices, trainings, or related initiatives; allow an exemption to provide preferential consideration for businesses owned by individuals who are residents of Kentucky or the United States; allow the Attorney General to bring civil action to enforce provisions of this Act; allow a qualified individual to bring a civil action for injunctive relief and to recover attorney's fees and litigation costs if a state or local government or public agency is found to have violated this Act; waive immunity under certain conditions; prevent an employee or agent of a public agency or a state or local government from using their authority to influence, discourage, interfere, or retaliate against a person who in good faith participates in a civil action in accordance with this Act; amend KRS 12.020 to rename the "Office of Diversity, Equality, and Training" to "Office of Employee Training"; amend KRS 18A.025 to deline the responsibilities of the Office of Employee Training; EMERGENCY.

AI Summary

This bill proposes significant changes to government personnel policies in Kentucky, aimed at prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in state and local government agencies. The bill would prevent government entities from providing preferential treatment based on race, sex, religion, color, or national origin in employment, contracting, or other interactions. Specifically, it would prohibit state or local governments from requiring diversity training, maintaining DEI offices, or offering differential benefits based on an individual's participation in such programs. The bill allows an exemption for preferential consideration of businesses owned by Kentucky or US residents. It empowers the Attorney General to bring civil actions to enforce these provisions and allows qualified individuals (such as government employees or job applicants) to sue for injunctive relief and potentially recover attorney's fees if a violation is proven. The legislation also renames the "Office of Diversity, Equality, and Training" to the "Office of Employee Training" and removes references to diversity initiatives from various government department descriptions. The bill includes an emergency clause, indicating its immediate implementation upon passage, and frames its intent as protecting constitutional equal protection principles while preventing what it considers discriminatory practices in government employment and contracting.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (8)

Last Action

to State & Local Government (S) (on 02/18/2025)

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